LOW BACK PAIN: BIOMECHANICS ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown that lower back pain from golf represent 25% of all golf related injuries. A review of the literature shows that the etiology is pluri-factorial, with general and specific risk factors. For the average players and the elite players, the mechanical loadings on the lumbar spine must be analyzed during all the golf swing. The specific risk factors, as range of motion restriction, abnormal muscle recruitment, excessive X-factor, important right side bending with high velocity lumbar rotation (crunch factor) are essential elements to be considered in a prevention strategy. Golf can aggravate pre-existing low back pain, especially in a context of overuse, without correct warm-up and with important golf swing technical fault but golf could also be an efficient treatment when it is practiced in good conditions.